TAEKWONDO prospect Thomas Carney will put his skills to the test at the International Poomsae Championships in Northern Ireland later this month.

The 12-year-old from Wyke Regis will be travelling to Belfast as part of a team of eight from Weymouth & Dorchester Taek-wondo Club.

“We are very proud of him,” said mum Becky Hyett.

“He went for an open day at the taekwondo club when he was four and he’s never looked back.

“His first competition was in 2010 and he won gold then, this one coming up is a Poomsae competition with patterns.

“It’s all the movements that they do when they practice their taekwondo.

“He cannot wait and he is really excited about going. It has all become a little bit real now and he’s training four or five hours a week.

“We are just really proud and we hope he continues because his dream would be to be part of a national team when he is older.”

Carney also secured bronze in the British Taekwondo and Chungdokwan Nationals that were held in London in March.

The 2nd Dan black belt, who will be the youngest member of the Weymouth & Dorchester party at the competition, is also looking for sponsorship for the upcoming event.

His mum added: “It’s all completely new to us.

“We have never looked for sponsors before because we have always funded it ourselves.

“But Thomas is not entitled to much funding because a lot of the grants are for those between 16 and 24.”

If anyone would like to sponsor the youngster, contact Becky Hyett on 07880546095.